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José Pereira, BACP

Experienced counsellor for addiction and anxiety

22 years in practice · based in United Kingdom · sessions in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese · online sessions

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About José

José Pereira is a counsellor and psychotherapist with 22 years of experience working across addiction and related mental health concerns. He holds an MSc in Counselling and is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). José talks plainly and directly with people who are stressed, anxious, depressed or struggling with addictive and compulsive behaviours.

He spent many years in residential treatment settings, moving through roles from counsellor to clinical manager.

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Background and approach

Those roles involved working alongside teams of clinicians and running longer-term therapy that aimed for sustained change. That background shaped a practical, outcome-focused approach to care. José practises in an integrative way, drawing on conversational, skills-based and relational methods.

He uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - CBT - to address unhelpful thinking and behaviour, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - ACT - to help people live with difficult feelings while moving towards their values. He also draws on Dialectical Behaviour Therapy - DBT - and attachment-based ideas when relationships or emotional regulation are central concerns.

He has particular experience with addictions, compulsive behaviours, codependency and substance misuse, and he supports people coping with family-of-origin problems, communication struggles and feelings of emptiness or shame. José offers one-to-one work and also runs psychoeducational groups and interpersonal therapy groups. Sessions are offered in English, Portuguese, French and Spanish and José works with people in the United Kingdom and internationally.

Therapeutic approaches in online care

José combines several evidence-informed methods when working online. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours; it is often used for anxiety, depression and many addiction-related problems. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, ACT, supports people to accept difficult emotions while committing to values-driven actions, which can help with avoidance and long-standing worry. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationship patterns affect current bonds and communication, and it can be useful when people struggle with trust, abandonment fears or repeated relational cycles.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. José will discuss different ways of working and together you will agree which methods fit your needs, goals and preferences. That collaboration helps make sessions feel tailored and practical rather than one-size-fits-all.

Online sessions are available by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for different lives. Video calls let you use face-to-face interaction for deeper conversations. Phone sessions are useful when bandwidth is limited or when a simpler check-in suits the day. Live chat and messaging can work well for short updates, reflective notes or regular support between longer sessions. These options help fit therapy around work, travel and family commitments while keeping the focus on steady progress.
Book with José Now Review online therapy options and next steps.

Questions people ask

What kinds of problems does José help with?
He supports people with stress, anxiety, depression and a range of addictive or compulsive behaviours. He also works with relationship and family-of-origin problems, codependency and issues like guilt and shame.
What is his therapeutic style like?
His style is straightforward and practical, combining conversational listening with skills and exercises. He adapts methods to the person, focusing on what will help day to day.
How much experience does he bring?
He has 22 years of experience, including roles in residential treatment as counsellor, senior counsellor and clinical manager. That work included long-term individual therapy and group programmes.
Where is he based and what are his credentials?
He practises in the United Kingdom and holds an MSc in Counselling. He is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
Which languages can sessions be held in?
Sessions are offered in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.
What session formats are available?
He works online using video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging.
How does pricing work for online sessions?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin if I want to work with him?
To start, use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

What this therapist works with

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Therapeutic approaches

Experience
22 years
Licensed
Languages
English, Spanish, French, Portuguese

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